Any computer geeks in the rifle section?

[BTGuard]

Basically I'm considering the logistics of somehow using a Raspberry pi 0 to rough up some sort of ballistics computer/ drop chart. Probably won't be super practical, but I think it could be kind of fun. Anyone here have any experience with computer programming?
Basically at its simplest I'm thinking I would basically input my drop charts into the raspberry interface, whatever that may be, and be able to use that to calculate drop at distance. I know apps can do this, but what's the fun of that?

[Big 10]

Yea your speaking gibberish to me! My uncle might be able to help I'll show this to him

[BTGuard]

Yea your speaking gibberish to me! My uncle might be able to help I'll show this to him

basically Raspberry pi is a super cheap computer you can connect sensors etc to, including an interface (screen)
When I say super cheap the 0 is 5 dollars!

[Big 10]

Makes a little sense now! Still can't help though, my uncle said he can't help either sorry bout that

[BTGuard]

No problem man

[zr2chevy22]

Why not make an android app since majority of people own android phones?

I know there's an app out called strelok that let's you put in the gun's profile along with the load profile and it figure's out ballistics.

[BTGuard]

Ya I have strelok on my phone and ipad. I would probably end up using output from an app or program such as strelok in this little device. It would have fairly little purpose an app doesn't have, but it would be original, and could be tailored to my specific gun. Long term if I could hook a wind, humidity, etc sensor in and have it cross reference that data with existing ballistics reference tables that would be excellent.

[sir shovelhands]

IF you're planning on doing the math, then take note. Ballistics is easy in vacuum. It becomes significantly (see: pain in the @ss) harder to calculate when you factor in wind, temperature, pressure, humidity, and in the case of extensive distances: the coriolis effect. I'm an engineer and would loathe doing that math. Would it not be easier to just use a free app on your phone, especially since the Raspberry Pi requires an external powers source?

If you are intent upon torturing yourself with triple integration and differential equations, then get a copy of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Exterio.../dp/0764338250

I thumbed through a copy at half-price books, and it's quite interesting.

[BTGuard]

IF you're planning on doing the math, then take note. Ballistics is easy in vacuum. It becomes significantly (see: pain in the @ss) harder to calculate when you factor in wind, temperature, pressure, humidity, and in the case of extensive distances: the coriolis effect. I'm an engineer and would loathe doing that math. Would it not be easier to just use a free app on your phone, especially since the Raspberry Pi requires an external powers source?

If you are intent upon torturing yourself with triple integration and differential equations, then get a copy of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Exterior-Ballistics-Robert-McCoy/dp/0764338250

I thumbed through a copy at half-price books, and it's quite interesting.

O it would certainly be easier! I'm not one for doing things the easy way I don't see this being a compete ballistics computer for many of the reasons you listed, and probably should have not used that phrase in the op. I am picturing a sort of excel spreadsheet. Something with a drop chart factored In out to say 1000 yards, with wind values up to 20 miles an hour, with limited cross wind angles, etc. This could by no means be a full ballistics calculator, as I don't have that expertise. By using this "chart" I could use the pi and figure which value to use. Massively overengineered solution? Yes. That's what makes it fun! This is all very early in the planning stages, and eventually it may fizzle out for many reasons.

[sir shovelhands]

O it would certainly be easier! I'm not one for doing things the easy way I don't see this being a compete ballistics computer for many of the reasons you listed, and probably should have not used that phrase in the op. I am picturing a sort of excel spreadsheet. Something with a drop chart factored In out to say 1000 yards, with wind values up to 20 miles an hour, with limited cross wind angles, etc. This could by no means be a full ballistics calculator, as I don't have that expertise. By using this "chart" I could use the pi and figure which value to use. Massively overengineered solution? Yes. That's what makes it fun! This is all very early in the planning stages, and eventually it may fizzle out for many reasons.

Well you can always pull data from established tables, plug those in and have a gui where you input your conditions and it searches the tables for you: I'd suggest using VB as it's pretty simple to learn/use.

But if you decide to go the hard way, just remember:

[BTGuard]

Well you can always pull data from established tables, plug those in and have a gui where you input your conditions and it searches the tables for you: I'd suggest using VB as it's pretty simple to learn/use.

But if you decide to go the hard way, just remember:

Vb would actually work pretty well for me, as I do have some experience with it. I'll look into something like that! Thanks

[Slick8]

WOW, that made my hair hurt...

I agree with the difficulty stated above. On their new promo vidya, Hornady talks about using Doppler radar to track the downrange BC of a bullet...

[BTGuard]

WOW, that made my hair hurt...

I agree with the difficulty stated above. On their new promo vidya, Hornady talks about using Doppler radar to track the downrange BC of a bullet...

Hmm I wonder if I could get that data and have changinf bc at different ranges.

[BTGuard]

anyone else?

[Agbs2k8]

I've not looked at the raspberry Pi in a while, but if you are going to over engineer it, why not include some sensors? I see no reason why you couldn't find a way to automate barometric pressure, wind speed at the shooter, altitude, etc.